Material loading apparatus



Nov. 23, 1937.

J. F. :oY

l Y MATERIAL LOADING AFPARATUS 5 sheets-sheet 1 Filed July l, 1935 lf2/oy yu: 4 Mme Nov. 23, 1937. J. F.`JoY

MATERIAL LOADING APPARATUS Filed July l, 1935 5 SheetSSheet 2 5' 15mm/1. fase/121i? Jay j m MMM Nov. 23, 1937. .1. F. JOY i 2,099,981

MATERIAL LOADING APPARATUS vFiled Jilly 1, 1935, 5 sheets-sheet a [reunim- Nov. 23, 1937.' J. F. JOY 2,099,981

MATERIAL LOADING APPARATUS V Filed July 1. '1935 5 sheetsfsheet 4 97 In veizfmf.-

Nov. 23, 1937. J. F. JOY

MATERIAL LOADING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July l, 1935 w N MS WQ Patented Nov. 23, 1937 PATENT GFFICE MATERIAL LOADING APPARATUS Joseph F. Joy. Claremont, N.

Sullivan Machinery Company,

Massachusetts H., assigner to a corporation of Application July' 1, 1935, Serial No. 29,909v

Claims.

This invention relates to material loading apparatus, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to improvements in a loading apparatus of the type known as a mucking machine for loading muck piles in tunnel entry work.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved material loading apparatus. Another object is to provide an improved mucking machine for loading muck piles in tunnel entry work and having embodied therein an improved gathering mechanism. Yet another object is to provide in a loading apparatus of the above character an improved adjustable supporting. structure for Y the gathering mechanism and improved mechanism for adjusting and actuating the gathering mechanism. A still further object is to provide an improved conveying means associated with the gathering mechanism. Yet another object is to provide an improved loading apparatus having relatively great ilexibility, while an extremely simple and rugged design is attained. Other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more -fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the illustrative embodiment of the improved coal loading apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a, side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, the uppermost tilted position of the gathering mechanism being indicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is across sectional view taken substantially on lin'e 3--3 of `Figi.

Fig. 4 is a View in longitudinal section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

' Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 lof Fig. 4.

Fig. 'I is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 1-1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a somewhat diagrammatic view show- .ing in full and dotted lines the diierent positions of the gathering mechanism. Y

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 9.-9 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line IU--III of Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view showing the improved hydraulic uid system and the associated control means.

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view of the by-pass valve mechanism.

In this illustrative embodiment'o! the invention there is shown a material loading machine of the type commonly known asV a mucking machine for loading muck pilesin entry driving work, although it will be evident that the improved apparatus may be utilized for loading various other materials in other types of work. In this illustrative construction there is shown a selfpropelled portable base I having mounted thereon a gathering mechanism, generally designatedv 2, for gathering the material to be loaded and moving the same onto a conveying means, generally designated 3. The self-propelled base I is herein in the form of a truck frame 4 supported on wheels 5 adapted to run along a trackway laid on the ground surface. Mounted on and rigidly secured to the truck frame 6 and extending substantially thereacross is a horizontal plane table 6 having a smooth plane upper surface 'I and overlying and slidably engaging this plane table surface are sliding bottom supports in the form of shoes 8 formed on horizontal arms 9, 9 pivotally mounted at their forward ends on vertical pivot pins I0, Il) secured within the truck frame near the forward end of the latter. The rearmost extremities of the arms 9, 9 are pivotally ccnnected to vertical pivot pins H, II supported within the lower portion of a rear supporting frame I2 of the conveyor mechanism 3, and these arms have formed on their upper portions plane surfaces I3, I3 slidably engaging plane bottom surfaces I 4 formed on the lower portion of the rear frame I2. The arms, as shown in Fig. 5, are

` arranged in non-parallel relation with their points of pivotal connection with the conveyor frame spaced closer together than their points of pivotal connection with thetruck frame, so that as the conveyor frame is swung horizontally with respect to the truck frame, in a manner to be later described, the gathering mechanism supported by the forward portion of the conveyor frame moves in a substantially greater arc than the rear end of conveyor 3. Pivotally mounted at I5 on a e,

. horizontal axis on the forward portion of the rear frame I2 for swinging movement in a vertical direction with respect thereto is a frame I6 supporting the gathering mechanism 2. Guided in channel-like guideways I'I and I8. formed on the sides of the rear and front frames l2 and I6 respectively are endless side chains I9, I9 of an endless conveyor 26. Secured to certain of the chain blocks or links of the endless side chains I9, I9 'are transverse scraper bars 2| which are adapted to move along bottom pans 22 and 23 selned to the conveyor frames I2 and II, respec- I6 and on which the latter is pivotally mountedA is a rigid shaft Y25 supported atits ends within the sides of the frame I2 in the manner shown in Fig. 3, and this shaft suitably supports a curved .backing plate 26 over which the forward extremity of the bottom pan 22 is-curved downwardly, andjournaled on bearing sleeves supported by this stationary shaft are guide sprockets 21, 21 for the conveyor side chains.. The forward portions of the endless side. chains of the conveyor 2II are guided by sprockets 28 journaled on bearing sleeves supported by studs 29- secured to the sides of the front frame I6 in the manner shown in Fig. 7, and similar guide sprockets maybe mounted near the rearward end of the rear frame I2 for guiding the rear portions of the conveyor side chains. The intermediate portions of the lower strands of the endless side chains of the conveyor 20 pass around vertical guide sprockets 36, 30 journaled on horizontal studs 3I supported by the sides of the rear frame I2 and the intermediate portions of the side chains extend dow'nwardly about these guide sprockets 30 into engagement with drivesprockets 32, 32 keyed to a horizontal transversely extending shaft 33 journaled at its ends within bearing sleeves supported within the side frames of the rear frame I2. In this instance secured to the bottom pan 22 of the rear frame I2,is a hydraulic motor 34 preferably of the conventional gear type having fixed to its power shaft 35 a chain sprocket 38 connected by an endless chain 31 to a chain sprocket 38 keyed to the shaft 33. It will thus be seen that when the motor 34 is running, the conveyor side chains I9, I3 of the conveyor 28 are rapidly circulated within their guideways on the frames -I2 and I6 through the chain and sprocket connection 36, 31, 38, transverse shaft 33 and the drive sprockets 32 engaging the conveyor side-- chains between the guide sprockets 36, 30.

Now referring to the improved material gathering mechanism 2, it will be noted that mounted for rectilinear sliding movement in parallel guideways 46, 48 supported by the tiltable frame I6 at the opposite'sides of the latter are slide members in the form of vertical plates 4I, 4I, and pivotally mounted at 42 on the forward extremities of these plates is a pair of swlngable.

gatheringA elements 43, 43. These swingable gathering elements are herein in the form of digging and gathering arms or fingers of scoop or claw-like shape having formed on their vertical penetrating edges claw-like penetratingn- A gers-or teeth 44 herein arranged in horizontal superimposed relation, and each comprising a detachable' tooth 4 5.. '111e means for rectilinearly moving the vertical plates 4I within their-guideways longitudinally with respect to the frame I6 comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders 50, 50 (see Figs. 1 and 5) rigidly secured in a suitable manner to the opposite sides of the tiltable frame 4I6 and each containing a reciprocable piston 5I having a forwardly projecting piston rod 52.

means is provided for swinging the gathering elements 43 about their pivots with respect to the sliding plates comprising hydraulic cylinders 56 (see Figs. 1 and 10) pivotally mounted at 51 on vertical pivot pins supported within lugs integral with the sides of the sliding plates 4I, and each of these cylinders contains a reciprocable piston 58 having a forwardly projecting piston rod 59. These piston rods extend forwardly through the packed front heads 60 of the cylinders andare pivotally connected to vertical pivot pins 6I supe ported by the gathering elements 43. When hydraulic pressure is 'supplied to one end or the other of the swing cylinders 56, the gathering elements 43 may be swung either inwardly or outwardly about their pivots with respect to the slide plates. 'I'he hydraulically operated means for vertically tilting the frame I6 to vary the elevation of the gathering mechanism comprises a pair of hydraulic lift cylinders 62, 62, (see Fig. 4) pivotally mounted to swing in vertical planes on horizontal pivot pins 63 supported within projecting lugs formed integral with the lower portion of the frame .I2 and each containing a reciprocable piston 64 having a forwardly projecting piston rod 65. These piston rods extend forwardly through the packed front 4head 66 of the cylinders and are pivotally connected at their forward extremities at 61 to horizontal pivot pins supported within projecting lugs 68 formed on the lower portionof the tiltable frame I6. It will thus be seen that when hydraulic pressure is supplied to o ne end or the other of the lift cylinders 62, the

frame I6 may be` vertically tilted either upwardly gathering mechanism. By trapping the liquid within these cylinders, the gathering mechanism may be locked in its adjusted position.

In this illustrative construction, mounted on the rearward portion of the truck frame 4 below the overhanging end of the conveyor is a motor having its power shaft connected by a conventional flexible coupling 1I to the drive shaft of a pumpv 12 herein of the conventional gear type. Formed within the lower portion of the truck frame is a reservoir 13 containing a liquid, preferably oil, and this pump is adapted to supply liquid under pressure to a hydraulic motor 14 supported by the truck frame and having fixed to its drive shaft 'I5 a chain sprocket 16 connected by an endless chain 11 to a chain sprocket 18 keyed to the rear truck wheel axle. 'Ihe motor I4 lis of the reversible type to effect drive ofthe truck wheels in either of opposite directions, thereby to effect propulsion of the loading apparatus during transport either forwardly or rearwardly along the trackway.

As shown in Fig. 11, the intake of the oil pump I2 is connected by a conduit 'I9 to the reservoir 13, while the discharge side of the pump is connected by'conduits 80.and 8l through suitable Safety valves 82 to conduits 83 and 84 respectively, these latter conduits being'connected to a by-pass valve 85 for varying the liquid pressure in the hydraulic system. This by-pass valve 85 'is connected through a discharge conduit 86 to the reservoir 13. As shown in Fig. 12, the by-pass valve comprises a valve casing 81 having formed therein a. passage 88 for connecting the conduit 83 with a main supply conduit 89, while the conduit 84 communicateswvith a passage 90 communicable Vthrough -a passage 9| with the passage 88 and vthrough a passage 92 with a chamber 93 with which the discharge conduit 86 communicates. The passages 9| and 92 are controlled by end seating valves 94 and 95 respectively, 'having a suitable operating lever 96.

When the lever 96 is swung into the position shownVinpFig. 12, both the pressure supply conduits 83 and 84 communicate with the supply conduit 89, while the psage 32 is closed by the valve 95. ,When the lever 96 is swung into its opposite position the passage 9| is closed by the valve 94, while the passage 92 is open so that when the conduit 83 'communicates through the passage 88 with the supply conduit 89, the conduit 84 is connected to the discharge conduit 86 through the passage 92 and chamber 93. Supported on the truck frame at one side of the motor 10 is a control valve box |00 having formed therein a series of valve bores |0| containing, respectively, rotary control valves |02, |03, |04, |05, 06, each having a manual control handle. As shown in` Fig. l1, the main liquid pressure supply conduit 09 leading from. the by-pass valve 85 is connected witha supply passage |01 formed in the valve box |00 and connecting the lower ends of the valve bores together. lEach of these valves is formed near its upper end with' ill to the intake of the hydraulic' motor 34 for driving the endless conveyor 20 and a conduit I2 connects the discharge side of the motor 34 with the valve bore. The bore of the valve |03 is connected by a conduit H3 with the forward ends of the lift cylinders 62 for the front frame I6 anda. conduit ||4 connects the valve bore with the rear ends of the lift cylinders 62. The bore of the valve |04 is connected by a conduit ||5 with the forward ends of the swing cylinders 56, while the rear ends of these cylinders are connected through a conduit 6 to the valve bore. The bore of the valve |05 is connected by a conduit. ||1 with the forward ends of the feed 'cylinders 50 and through a'conduit ||8 with the rear ends of the cylinders 50. The valve |06 is connected by a'conduit I9 with the intake of the hydraulic motor 14` for driving the truck wheels and a conduit |20 communicating with.

sage on the valve with-the discharge passage |09.r

When the valve |03, which controls the supply of liquid pressure-to the frame lifting cylinders 62, is in 'the position shown in Fig..11, liquid under pressure may flow from the supply passage 1 |01 through a passage on the valve and conduit ||4 to the rear ends of thecylinders '82, while the. forward ends of the cylinders are connected by conduit ||3 and a passage on the valve with the discharge passage |09. When the valve |04, which controls the supply of liquid pressure to the swinging cylinders 56 for the gathering elements, is in the position shown in Fig. 11, liquid 5 under pressure may flow from the supply passage |01 through a passage on the valve and conduit ||6 tothe rear ends of the cylinders 56, while the forward ends of these cylinders are connected by conduit I|5 and a passage on the 10 valve with the discharge passage |09. When the valve |05, which controls the supply of liquid pressure to the feed cylinders 50, is in the position shown in Fig. 11, liquid under pressure may flow from the supply passage |01 through a passage on the valve and conduit |8 to the rear ends of the cylinders 50, while the forward ends of these cylinders are connected through conduit ||1 and a passage on the valve with the discharge conduit |09. When the valve |06, which con- .20 trois the truck driving motor 14, is in the position shown in Fig. 11, liquid under pressure may iiow from the supply passage |01 through a pas- Sage on the valve and conduit H9 to the intake of the motor, while the discharge side of this motor is connected by 'conduit |20 and a passage on the valve with the discharge passage |09. When the position of the valve |06 is reversed, the conduit |20 is connected to'the supply passage |01, while the conduit ||9 is connected to the discharge passage |09, and as a result, the truck driving motor 14 is reversed. When the valve |05 is turned into its reverse position, the conduit |1 is connected to the supply passage |01, while the conduit |8 is connected to the discharge passage |09. When the position of the valve |04 is reversed, the conduit ||5 is 'connected to the supply passage |01, while the conduit I6 is connected to the discharge passage |09. When the" position of the valve |03 is reversed, the conduit ||4 is connected to the discharge passage |09, while the conduit ||3 is connected to the supply passage |01. By reversing the positions of the valves |03, |04, and |05, the direction of movement of the pistons contained in the cylinders controlled thereby is of course reversed.

The general mode of operation of the improved material loading apparatus is as follows: The apparatus is propelled at a transport speed from one working place to another by the hydraulic motor 14 operated by the motor driven pump 12. When the working place is reached, for instance, when the machine is operating as a mucking machine on a muck pile'in a tunnel entry, the hydraulic lift cylinders 62 are operated to swing the mate- 55 rial gathering mechanism 2 downwardly from its transport position indicated in dotted lines in Fig.

2 'to its operative gathering position near the ground surface, as indicated in fulllines in that gure. The hydraulic conveyor driving motor 34 60 operated by the motor driven pump 12 is 4then started, thereby to eiect rapid circulation of the endless conveyor 20 within its guideways. With the claw-like gathering elements in their outer# most position, as indicated in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Fig. 8, hydraulic'pressure is admitted tol the rear ends of the feed cylinders 50, 50, thereby sliding rectilinearly the vertical plates 4| 'forwardly along their guideways longitudinally with respect to the front frame |6 to advance the claw- 7o like gathering elements toward the muck pile into material gathering position. Hydraulic pressure is then supplied to the rear ends of the swing cylinders 56, thereby to eiect swinging ofthe claw-like gathering elements inwardly about their toward the forward receiving end of the conveyor.

These rectilinear penetrating, arcuate swinging and rectilinear withdrawal movements of the claw-like gathering elements are rapidly repeated during the loading operation. When it is desired to vary the horizontal gathering position of the gathering mechanism with respect to the material to be loaded, the gathering mechanism may be swung manually or otherwise horizontally with respect to the truck frame in either direction to the lateral positions indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 8; During this horizontal swinging opera- ",tion, the pivoted supporting arms 9, 9, due to .ftheir non-parallel relation, cause the gathering mechanism to swing through a relatively wide arc while the rear discharge end of the conveyor has a. Irelatively slight movement, thereby enabling the conveyor to discharge material into a mine car placed beneath the discharge end thereof regardless of the horizontally swung position of the gathering mechanism.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that an improved material loading apparatus is provided having improvedc material gathering means whereby the material to be loaded may be gathered and loaded in an extremely effective manner. It'will further be evident that an improved loading apparatus of the type known as a mucldng machine is provided for loading muck piles in tunnel entry work and having embodied therein an improved gathering mechanism whereby the material to be loaded may be gathered in v an' extremely rapid lmanner. It will'still furproved manner.

ther be evident that by the provision of vthe improved hydraulically operated means for the claw-like gathering elements, the material to be loaded is penetrated, grasped, and thereafter m'oved rearwardly onto the conveyor in an 1m- These and other uses and advantages of the improved loading apparatus will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its vspirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by letters Patent is:

1. In a loading apparatus, a portable base, conveying means, and material loading mechanism on said base for moving the material to be loaded onto said conveying means including supports mounted for rectilinear movement at the opposite sides of said conveying means, cooperating clawlike digging and gathering elements pivotally mounted on the forward extremities o f said supports to swing horizontally with respect thereto about upstanding axes, means for moving said supports forwardlyrectilinearly relative to said conveying means to'. move bodily said gathering elements into gathering relation with the material to be loaded, means for thereafter swinging said gatheringelements inwardly .to dig intoand grasp a, portion of the material, and means for thereafter moving said supports rectilinearly rearwardly relative to said conveying means to move said gathering elements bodily rearwardly into a position to discharge vthe material grasped thereby onto said conveying means.

2. In a. loading apparatus, a support having guideways along the sides thereof, a conveyor mounted centrally on said support between said guideways, frames slidable rectilinearly along said guideways, cooperating digging and gathering jaws pivotally mounted on said sliding frames respectively to swing toward and from one another in common planes, and devices for sliding said frames along said guideways relative to said conveyor and for swinging saiddigging and gathering jaws about their pivots relative to said frames.

3. In a loading apparatus, -a support having guideways along the sides thereof,'a conveyor mounted centrally on said support between said guideways, frames slidable rectilinearly along said guideways, cooperating .digging and gathering jaws pivotally mounted on said sliding frames respectively, to swing horizontally with respect thereto, and devices for sliding said frames along said guideways relativeto said conveyorto move said jaws bodily toward and from the material to be loaded and for swinging said gathering elements about their pivots relative to said frames to dig said jaws into and grasp the material.

4. In a loading apparatus, a support having guideways along the sides thereof, a conveyor mounted centrally on said support between said guideways, frames slidable rectilinearly alongsaid guideways, cooperating digging and gathering jaws pivotally mounted on said sliding frames respectively, hydraulic cylinders for moving said frames longitudinally along said guideways rela.- tive to said conveyor, and hydraulic cylinders for swinging said digging and gathering :laws about pivots relative to said sliding frames.

5. In a loading apparatus, a support having guideways along the sides thereof, a conveyor mounted centrally on said support between said guideways, vframes slidable rectilinearly along said guideways, cooperating digging and gathering jaws pivotally mounted on saidsliding frames respectively, hydraulic cylinders mounted on the sides of said support and containing pistons having piston rods connected to said sliding frames for moving the latter along said guideways rela. tive to said conveyor, and hydraulic cylinderspivotally mounted on said sliding frames and containing pistons having their piston rods pivotally connected to said digging and gathering jaws for swinging said jaws about their pivots.

6. In a loading apparatus, a portable base, con-- veying means on said base, and material gathering mechanism including cooperating claw-like digging and gathering jaws, slidingsupports mounted at the sides of said conveying means and onwhich said claw-like jaws are pivotally mounted for swinging movement, means for moving 'said sliding supportsv forwardly rectilinearly relativev to said conveying means to move said digging and gathering jaws into gathering relation with the y veying mris ,to move' the digging and gathering jaws rea rdly into a position to discharge the sliding supports rearwardly relative to said conmaterial grasped thereby onto said conveying means.

7. In a loading apparatus, a portable base, a conveyor on said base having a conveyor frame. guideways on the sides of said conveyor frame, frames slidably guided on said guideways, cooperating diggingl and gathering jaws pivotally mounted on the forward extremities of said sliding frames respectively, means connected to the rearward extremities of said sliding frames for sliding said sliding frames along said guideways, and cooperating means connected between said sliding frames and said jaws for swinging said relative to said sliding frames, said digging and `gathering jaws being movable bodily forwardly relative to said conveyor frame into gathering relation with the material to be loaded, thereafter swingable about their pivots inwardly to dig into and grasp a portion of the material and thereafter movable bodily rearwardly with said sliding frames to move the material grasped thereby onto said conveyor.

8. In a loading apparatus, a portable base, a conveyor on said base, guides extending longitudinally of the apparatus along the opposite sides of the forward portion of said conveyor, sliding supports mounted on said guides, a pair of cooperating digging and gathering jaws swingable horizontally in advance of said conveyor, one jaw pivotally mounted on each sliding support to swing about an upright axis, means connected to said supports for sliding the same longitudinally back and forth along said guideways to move said jaws bodily forwardly and rearwardly relative to the conveyor, and means connected to said jaws for swinging the same horizontally to dig nally of the apparatus along the opposite sides of the forward portion of said conveyor, slidingsupports mounted on said guides, a pair of cooperating digging and gathering jaws swingable horizontally in advance of said conveyor, one jaw pivotally mounted on each sliding support to swing about an upright axis, fluid operated rams connected to said supports for sliding the same longitudinally back and forth along said guideways to move said jaws bodily forwardly and rearwardly relative to the conveyor, and uid operated rams connected to said jaws for swinging the same horizontally to dig into and grasp a portion of the material to be loaded.

10. In a loading apparatus, a portable base, a conveyor on said base, guides extending longitudinally of the apparatus along'the opposite sides of the forward portion of said conveyor, sliding supports mounted on said guides, a pair of cooperating digging and gathering jaws swingable horizontally in advance of said conveyor, one jaw pivotally mounted on each sliding support to swing about an upright axis, fluid operated rams connected to said supports for sliding the same longitudinally back and forth along said guideways to move said jaws bodily forwardly and rearwardly relative to the conveyor, and uid operated rams connected to said sliding supports and said jaws for swinging the'latter horizontally to dig into and grasp a portion of the material to be loaded.

` JOSEPH F. JOY. 

